Photo: Benjamint444 / GFDL 1.2 (Wikimedia Commons)
Emu
Dromaius novaehollandiae
Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) — Ratites & Tinamous of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a member of the Casuariidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 34.1 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Casuariiformes
- Family Casuariidae Cassowaries, Emu
- Genus Dromaius
- Species novaehollandiae
Quick facts
- Weight
- 34.1 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Casuariidae
- Order
- Casuariiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Emu is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Emu is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a species of bird in the Casuariidae family, part of the order Casuariiformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Australia.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 34.1 kg, with a wing length of about 12.5 cm and a tail of around 43 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 4.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Emu?
The Emu is a very large bird that weighs around 34.1 kg.
Where does the Emu live?
The Emu is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Australia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Emu belong to?
The Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) belongs to the Casuariidae family, in the order Casuariiformes.
What does the Emu eat?
The Emu is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Emu migrate?
The Emu is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Emu endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Emu make?
4 real field recordings of the Emu — including its drumming and call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, each credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Emu's range?
The Emu has a mapped global range of about 4.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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